A decrease in BMI is independently associated with lower odds of onset and progression of the structural defects of knee osteoarthritis (OA), according to a study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology. Zubeyir Salis and colleagues examined the association between change in BMI and the incidence and progression of the structural defects of knee OA as assessed by radiography. The analysis included 9,683 knees (from 5,774 participants) in an “incidence cohort” and 6,075 knees (from 3,988 participants) in a “progression cohort.” Change in BMI was positively associated with both the incidence and progression of the structural defects of knee OA. There was also a positive association between change in BMI and degeneration (ie, narrowing) of joint space and with degeneration of the femoral and tibial surfaces (as indicated by osteophytes) on the medial but not on the lateral side of the knee.
